Mushroom-shaped drain valve and method of using the same

ABSTRACT

A mushroom-shaped drain valve for draining irrigation pipes has nibs placed around the periphery of the flat radial surface of the cap, which is the valve seating surface. The nibs hold the seating surface up from the pipe for a greater clearence to allow the water to drain faster, and, also, enables the valve to be used upon a flat surface. The flange which holds the valve in place has radial ridges so the valve may also be used as a vent valve and the flange does not seal upon venting.

United States atet 1 Purtell 51 June5,1973

[54] MUSHROOM-SHAPED DRAIN VALVE AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME [76]Inventor: Rufus J. Purtell, PO. Box 1152,

Brownfield, Tex. 79316 [22] Filed: Mar. 20, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 235,921

[52] U.S. Cl. ..l37/2l7, 137/107, 251/333,

' 239/111 [51] Int. Cl ..F16k 45/00 [58] Field of Search ..137/107, 217;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Dopplmaier ..137/217 PrimaryExaminerl-lenry T. Klinksiek Attorney-Charles W. Coffee [57] ABSTRACT Amushroom-shaped drain valve for draining irrigation pipes has nibsplaced around the periphery of the flat radial surface of the cap, whichis the valve seating surface. The nibs hold the seating surface up fromthe pipe for a greater clearence to allow the water to drain faster,and, also, enables the valve to be used upon a flat surface. The flangewhich holds the valve in place has radial ridges so the valve may alsobe used as a vent valve and the flange does not seal upon venting.

8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures MUSHROOM-SHAPED DRAIN VALVE AND METHOD OFUSING THE SAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the InventionThis invention relates to fluid handling and more particularly to anexhaust valve which is waste responsive. (137/107).

2. Description of the Prior Art U.S. Pat. No. 2,646,059 to Wittner etal. discloses drain valves having a flat radial band along the peripheryof a circular concave undersurface at the center of the cap. Thesevalves are commonly and commercially available and widely used in theirrigation industry. It is necessary for the valve to set upon a curvedsurface, and the bottom surface of the rim of the cap will rest on thecurved surface of the pipe While there is no pressure in the pipe,allowing water to pass between the pipe and the lower surface.

With Wittner et al. and all prior art embodiments I have seencommercially on the market, the water flows between only a portion ofthe cap and pipe because a portion of the cap rests on the pipe.

As the operation of the valve depends upon the curvature of the pipe, ifthe diameter of the pipe is large, the curvature will be insufficientfor the cap so there is clearence for draining. Therefore, if it weredesired to drain an element such as a trail tube connector, as shown inmy prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,157,193; 3,245,608, and 3,298,388, it wasnecessary to provide a curved surface in the connector for the drainvalve to work in connection therewith.

Also, Wittner et al. discloses their valve as a vent valve. However, itis disclosed as a vent valve with a metal washer surrounding it. Themetal washer is necessary when venting, otherwise the flange of thevalve presses against the pipe and prevents flow into the pipe when thepipe is being drained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION New and Different Function I have invented avalve made of rubber which has a flat sealing surface which is acircular band extending radially along the bottom edge of the cap. (Bythe term rubber, I mean in no way to restrict myself to natural rubber,but intend to include a wide range of flexible material of eithernatural or synthetic origin). On the edge of this flat band sealingsurface, I have found that placing a series of nibs or teats along theperipherial edge improves the valve. The valve then can be used in largediameter pipe or upon a flat surface. At low pressure, the nibs hold thevalve up so there is a clearence for waste water flow. The nibs preventthe valve from resting upon any part of its sealing surface whiledraining, allowing the valve to release fluid around the full 360 of itssealing surface. At increased pressures, the cap is forced down so thevalve seals. The band is wide enough so there is good sealing, the nibsbeing made of the same rubber material as the cap itself so they flexsufficiently to permit the seal to be made.

Therefore, with the drain valve of the present invention, it would befeasible to use the drain valve to drain a connection, such as a trailtube connector, on a flat surface thereof and thereby eliminate thenecessity for special construction.

Also, the flange is made with radial ridges so the flange will not sealagainst the outside surface of the pipe. This increases the value of thevalve when it is being used on the top of the pipe as a vacuum breakeror to vent air into the pipe at the time the pipe is being drained.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide anautomatic drain and vent for irrigation pipe.

Another object is to provide a valve which is useful for drain and ventof large diameter pipes or apparatuses with flat surfaces.

Further objects are to achieve the above with a device that is sturdy,compact, durable, lightweight, simple, efficient, versatile, andreliable, yet inexpensive and easy to manufacture, install, andmaintain.

Still further objects are to achieve the above with a method that isversatile, rapid, efficient, and inexpensive, and does not requireskilled people to install, adjust, and maintain.

The specific nature of the invention, as well as other objects, uses,and advantages thereof, will clearly appear from the followingdescription and from the accompanying drawing, the different views ofwhich are not necessarily to the same scale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a sectional view ofa valveaccording to this invention shown in a pipe (partially shown) takensubstantially on line l-1 of FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view thereof taken substantially on line 2-2 ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view thereof taken substantially on line 33 ofFIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing, theremay be seen that the valve according to this invention has basicallythree parts: cap 12, stem 14, and flange 16.

The cap 12 is the heavier portion which, in operation, is within pipe orvessel 18. According to this specification vessel will be used as thebroad term which will include a sprinkler connection as seen in my U.S.Pat. No. 3,298,388 or it is intended in this specification that the termvessel be broad enough to include the pipe itself or any othercontainer. A pipe is illustrated in the drawing.

Stem 14 extends through hole 20 in the vessel 18. It will be understoodthat the hole 20 is larger in diameter than the stem 14, but it issmaller in diameter than the cap 12 and the flange 16, all as describedin Wittner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,646,059. The flange 16 is on theoutside of the vessel 18.

The cap 12 is circular. The top 22 of the cap is spherical in shape. Theedge or perimeter of the cap has a thin lip 24. Le, the top 22 is notofa continuous convex arc, but adjacent the edge or lip 24 it is flat orconcave so the lip 24 is thinner than it otherwise would be andtherefore, more flexible. There is a small peripherial cylindrical edge26. On the underside of the cap 12 there is a flat, radial seatingsurface 28. This seat 28 extends from the edge 26 toward the center ofthe cap. It is a flat plane radial surface. I have had good success withthe width of the seat 28 about one-eighth the diameter of the cap orabout one-fourth the radial distance. Also, the diameter of the stem 14is about 30 percent of the diameter of the cap itself.

Inside the seat 28, the interior of the cap 12 forms arcuate concaveportion 30 and is basically spherical in nature. The stem 14 is circularin cross section and tapered. Stated otherwise, it is generally conicalwith the larger end connecting at the cap 12 and the smaller endconnecting to the flange 16.

The flange 16 is the same basic outline as the cap, at least it hasspherical top 32 and a cylindrical peripherial edge 34. It does not,however, have the thin lip. I have had good success making the flangeabout twothirds the diameter of the cap. The diameter of the stem isabout 40 percent of the diameter of the flange at its point ofconnection.

A series of eight teats or legs or nibs 36 are spaced at the extremeouter edge of the seat 28. The nibs 36 are hemispherical inconfiguration and the diameter of the nibs is about half or a third thewidth of the seat 28. Inasmuch as they are on the outer edge of the bandforming the seat 28, they are on that portion which is lip 24 of the cap12 and therefore, the cap has more flexibility or pliance at the nibs36.

As described before, when there is no pressure within the vessel 18, thecap 12 stands up on its own legs, i.e., the nibs 36 against the insidesurface of the vessel 18. When pressure is applied within the vessel,the cap 12 presses against the inside surface of the vessel 18 and theseat 28 forms a seal between the cap 12 and the vessel as is known tothe prior art as illustrated in Wittner et al. The seat 28 is wider thanthe valves presently available on the market so there is ample room forseating and sealing with the nibs 36. Furthermore, the action of thepressure upon the cap causes the edge 26 of the cap to roll upward andout of the way as it presses down in position. Therefore, the cap 12 isoperable upon a pipe of large diameter or a vessel with a flat surface.Also on normal diameter pipes, there is a faster flow of water ondraining because the nibs 36 cause a greater clearance between the seat28 and the interior surface of the pipe 18.

The particular arrangement results in less tilt of the valve with theflow of water when there is no pressure and the valve is not sealed.This is desirable.

The underside of the flange 16 has a series (i.e., four) of raised ribsor ridges 38 extending radially outward from the stem 14 to the edge 34.These ridges prevent the flange from seating flatly and sealing againstthe outer surface of the vessel 18; therefore if the valve is placedthrough a hole in the top of the vessel 18 as a vacuum breaker whichpermits air to enter the pipe, it may be seen that air is free to flowaround the flange. Air having less viscosity than water, it is notnearly so critical to provide for a rapid flow; almost any opening willbe sufficient for the flow of air.

The embodiment shown and described above is only exemplary, I do notclaim to have invented all the parts, elements or steps described.Various modifications can be made in the construction, material,arrangement, and operation, and still be within the scope of myinvention. The limits of the invention and the bounds of the patentprotection are measured by and defined in the following claims. Therestrictive description and drawing of the specific example above do notpoint out what an infringement of this patent would be, but are toenable the reader to make and use the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a mushroom-shaped rubber drain valve adapted to be insertedthrough a hole in a vessel to be drained, said valve having a. acircular cap having a radial face,

b. said cap adapted to be in the vessel in use,

c. an integral stem co-axially with the cap, and

d. a circular integral flange having a face,

e. said flange on the stem opposite the cap and adapted to be outsidethe vessel in use;

f. The improvement comprising:

g. a series of nibs along the radial face of the cap attached to thestem,

h. so that in use the radial face of the cap is elevated from theinterior of the vessel while draining.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 with the additional limitation ofj. a series of radial ridges along the face of the flange attached tothe stem, I

k. so that in use the face of the flange is held from the exterior ofthe vessel.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 with the additional limitationsof m. a lip extending along the periphery of the cap,

n. the lip thinner than the remainder of the cap,

0. the nibs along the underside of the lip.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 with the additional limitation ofp. the underside of the cap concave.

5. In a mushroom-shaped rubber drain valve adapted to be insertedthrough a hole in a vessel to be drained, said valve having a. acircular cap,

b. said cap adapted to be in the vessel in use,

c. an integral stem co-axially with the cap, and

d. a circular integral flange having a face,

e. said flange on the stem opposite the cap and adapted to be outsidethe vessel in use;

f. The improvement comprising:

g. a series of radial ridges along the face of the flange attached tothe stem,

h. so that in use the face of the flange is held from the exterior ofthe vessel While venting.

6. The method of draining fluid from and sealing a hole in the bottom ofa vessel comprising:

a. placing a rubber valve over the hole with a cap on the valve in thevessel,

b. maintaining the valve in proper position with a stem integral withthe valve extending through the hole,

0. elevating the cap of the valve from the interior surfaces of thevessel by flexible nibs on the cap of the valve,

d. allowing fluid to flow between the interior surface of the vessel andthe bottom of the cap of the valve, and

e. sealing the hole in the vessel responsive to pressure within thevessel by causing the pressure to force the valve cap downward, therebyspreading the edge of the cap with the nibs extending outward.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 with the additional limitation off. elevating the cap from the interior a full 360 around the cap, and

g. allowing fluid to flow a full 360 the valve.

8. The method of venting air into and sealing a hole in the top of avessel comprising:

around the cap of e. allowing air to flow between the radial ridges andthe exterior surface of the vessel, and

f. sealing the hole in the vessel responsive to pressure within thevessel by causing the pressure to force the valve cap outward, therebyg. sealing the cap against the interior surface of the vessel.

1. In a mushroom-shaped rubber drain valve adapted to be insertedthrough a hole in a vessel to be drained, said valve having a. acircular cap having a radial face, b. said cap adapted to be in thevessel in use, c. an integral stem co-axially with the cap, and d. acircular integral flange having a face, e. said flange on the stemopposite the cap and adapted to be outside the vessel in use; f. Theimprovement comprising: g. a series of nibs along the radial face of thecap attached to the stem, h. so that in use the radial face of the capis elevated from the interior of the vessel while draining.
 2. Theinvention as defined in claim 1 with the additional limitation of j. aseries of radial ridges along the face of the flange attached to thestem, k. so that in use the face of the flange is held from the exteriorof the vessel.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 2 with theadditional limitations of m. a lip extending along the periphery of thecap, n. the lip thinner than the remainder of the cap, o. the nibs alongthe underside of the lip.
 4. The invention as defIned in claim 3 withthe additional limitation of p. the underside of the cap concave.
 5. Ina mushroom-shaped rubber drain valve adapted to be inserted through ahole in a vessel to be drained, said valve having a. a circular cap, b.said cap adapted to be in the vessel in use, c. an integral stemco-axially with the cap, and d. a circular integral flange having aface, e. said flange on the stem opposite the cap and adapted to beoutside the vessel in use; f. The improvement comprising: g. a series ofradial ridges along the face of the flange attached to the stem, h. sothat in use the face of the flange is held from the exterior of thevessel while venting.
 6. The method of draining fluid from and sealing ahole in the bottom of a vessel comprising: a. placing a rubber valveover the hole with a cap on the valve in the vessel, b. maintaining thevalve in proper position with a stem integral with the valve extendingthrough the hole, c. elevating the cap of the valve from the interiorsurfaces of the vessel by flexible nibs on the cap of the valve, d.allowing fluid to flow between the interior surface of the vessel andthe bottom of the cap of the valve, and e. sealing the hole in thevessel responsive to pressure within the vessel by causing the pressureto force the valve cap downward, thereby spreading the edge of the capwith the nibs extending outward.
 7. The invention as defined in claim 6with the additional limitation of f. elevating the cap from the interiora full 360* around the cap, and g. allowing fluid to flow a full 360*around the cap of the valve.
 8. The method of venting air into andsealing a hole in the top of a vessel comprising: a. placing a rubbervalve over the hole with a cap on the valve in the vessel, b.maintaining the valve in proper position with a stem integral with thevalve extending through the hole, c. having a flange on the stem outsidethe vessel to prevent the stem from falling through the hole, d.elevating the flange from the exterior surface of the vessel by radialridges on the flange, e. allowing air to flow between the radial ridgesand the exterior surface of the vessel, and f. sealing the hole in thevessel responsive to pressure within the vessel by causing the pressureto force the valve cap outward, thereby g. sealing the cap against theinterior surface of the vessel.